Josh Thomson vs. Maximo Blanco Expected for Sepember 10th Strikeforce Event

[WrestlingSmarks News]

Looks like Maximo Blanco got his wish. The former lightweight King of Pancrase and Sengoku vet was recently released by World Victory Road and said he was looking to ply his trade in North America. Last month, he told MMAWeekly who he'd like to face former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson, and it sounds like that's exactly what will happen:

The former Sengoku fighter will face former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson in his first bout with the promotion.

The news was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by sources close to the match-up, stating bout agreements have been issued and signed for the fight expected to take place on an as yet unannounced Sept. 10 Strikeforce event.

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Thomson's last outing was a disappointing loss to Tatsuya Kawajiri on the New Year's Eve Dynamite! show in Japan. He broke his hand in that bout and has been recovering from it ever since. Blanco, a medal winner in freestyle wrestling at the 2007 Pan-American games for his native Venezuela, is currently riding a 6 fight winning streak, with a couple of nasty KO's in there. Maxi might not be a household name right now but he should be able to give Thomson all he can handle at the Sept 10th event, which has no location or venue as of yet.